Authorities are investigating the deliberate poisoning of 69 native trees in a rural area of southern Western Australia.
The jarrah and marri trees were poisoned near Redmond, about 400km south of Perth on the state’s south coast.
Photos sent to the ABC show what appear to be trees along a road verge with drill holes in the trunks and bark stripped away.
A City of Albany official said glyphosate, a well-known herbicide, had been detected in the holes.
Mayor Greg Stocks described it as a “reprehensible” act.
“This is an act of vandalism on a large scale that will be investigated by the City, along with State Government authorities,” he said.
“The deliberate destruction of these trees is a reprehensible act that undermines the efforts of our community to maintain and enhance our natural environment.”
Trees provide habitat to endangered birds
The City said jarrah and marri trees are also known habitats for the endangered black cockatoo species.
Cr Stocks said the incident was an attack on the environment and Albany’s natural beauty.
“The City strongly condemns all acts of vandalism, particularly the extensive destruction of our natural flora, which is deeply disappointing to the both the City and the community,”
he said.
The City appealed to the public to come forward with any information about the incident.
Under the Environmental Protection Act individuals can face fines up to $250,000 if found guilty of illegal clearing of vegetation, while the fine doubles to $500,000 for companies.
Tree poisoning and illegally clearing of bushland has been an ongoing issue in Western Australia in recent years, but on a much smaller scale.
The City of Albany also warned of potential prosecution for people who illegally cleared bushland in Oyster Harbour in 2017.
